Hi Air (Korea) (HGG, Ulsan) is in the process of acquiring a further two ATR72-500s as it prepares for the start of international operations, most likely to Japan, by the end of 2020, founder and Chairman of parent Hi Global Group, Youn Hyung-gwan, told Maeil Business News.

The airline hopes to add its third ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprop in July this year to be used for domestic routes. However, the fourth unit, due to deliver in late 2020, will allow Hi Air to launch international services.

Youn said Hi Air hoped to add a further four ATRs in 2021 and then four more in 2022 to reach a fleet of 12 by the end of that year. This would then provide the carrier with the economies of scale needed to turn a profit, the chairman concluded.

He did not specify whether the aircraft planned for 2021 and 2022 would also be ATR72-500s.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Hi Air currently owns and operates two 11 and 12-year-old ex-Air Tahiti (VT, Papeete) ATR72-500s. The carrier, which launched in December 2019, plies domestic Korean routes, connecting Seoul Gimpo with each of Ulsan and Yeosu/Suncheon.